Once again technological advancements make common terminology such as mobile phone, smartphone, PDA and PDA phone difficult to decipher as each type of device changes constantly and features traditionally belonging to one type of device are now found on others. Let's explore the popular category of mobile communication devices, the similarities and differences between some of the popular products. Falling under the category of mobile devices, today's consumer electronics serve multiple purposes. Years ago, cellular phones, also called cellphones or mobile phones, served one purpose only: They let you send and receive voice communications. Today, mobile phones and similar devices are equipped with customized software, Internet access, digital cameras, portable music players, GPSfunctions and many more options.
What Is a Mobile Phone? A mobile phone is more frequently called a cellular phone or cellphone. These communication devices connect to a wireless communications network through radio waves or satellite transmissions. Most mobile phones provide voice communications, Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), and newer phones may also provide Internet services such as Web browsing, instant messaging capabilities and e-mail.
What Is a PDA? Short for personal digital assistant, this is the name given to small handheld devices that combine computing, telephone/fax, Internet and networking features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, Web browser and personal organizer. These devices are usually pen-based, which requires the use of a stylus rather than a keyboard for input. PDAs today are available in either a stylus or keyboard version. Traditionally, PDAs have not had phone or fax services.
What Is a Smartphone? A smartphone is considered to be the combination of the traditional PDA and cellular phone, with a bigger focus on the cellular phone part. These handheld devices integrates mobile phone capabilities with the more common features of a handheld computer or PDA. Smartphones allow users to store information, e-mail, install programs, along with using a mobile phone in one device. A smartphone's features is usually more oriented towards mobile phone options than the PDA-like features. There is no industry standard for what defines a smartphone, so any mobile device that has more than basic cellphone capabilities can actually be filed under the smartphone category of devices.
What Is a PDA Phone? It's definitely a lack of standardization that makes the category of mobile devices so confusing to the consumer. As technology changes, so do the functions that these different devices perform. Years ago, many people differentiated PDA and smartphone simply by looking for touch-screen capabilities. If it had a touch screen it was a PDA, if it didn't, it was a smartphone. The Sony Ericsson Smartphone, for example, offers users both a touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard. Despite the fact that the manufacturer calls this product a smartphone, the generic term for a PDA oriented device with cellular phone capabilities is called a PDA phone.
Some Popular Examples
The popular Apple iPhone is a combination smartphone and iPod
The HP iPAQ Mobile Messenger is a Pocket PC
The LG Prada is a cellular phone with a touch screen — but its not a smartphone
The RIM BlackBerry 8800 is considered a smartphone — but its borderline on being a handheld PC device due to its size and features
The Palm Treo 700p is a PDA phone
The Motorola Q is also considered to be a PDA phone
What's The Differences, Again? In summing up the differences between these common mobile communications devices you could say that a PDA phone is more PDA than phone and a smartphone is more phone than PDA. And, of course, a cellular phone is more phone than anything else.
But What's Unique About These Mobile Devices? If you own a smartphone, it’s the one connected device you take with you wherever you go. Smartphone technologies, such as Internet access, built-in cameras and GPS open up a multitude of learning possibilities. These are the five “C’s” of Mobile Learning, as identified by Clark Quinn.
Content: Providing instructional materials that students can access anywhere, or in specific contexts (like instructor commentary for a museum trip).
Capture: Using mobile devices to capture images, video, sound, GPS coordinates, and ideas (as notes).
Communicate: Being able to stay in touch with classmates anywhere or during specific field activities.
Compute: Using Devices to assist in calculating, language translating, and other computational tasks.
Combine: Using the previous four functions together in interesting ways, like augmented-reality experiences that capture GPS location, orientation, and images, and supply relevant content to the learner.
Basic Uses for Any Mobile Device These tools are accessible to anyone with a basic cell phone and may be a good place to start since many of your students might not have a smart phone or mobile device with web access.
Voice Recorder - Even the most basic cell phone has the ability to record messages. This could be used to record in or out of class interviews, small group discussions, and even basic podcasts. Students might even use this to record part of a class lecture, practice delivering a speech, etc. The file can then be played from the device or sent to a computer via email. See apps section below for more ways to do more sophisticated audio recording and podcasts.
Camera/Video - This tool could be used much in the same way as the voice recorder for capturing interviews in or out of class. Students could also use it to collect visual data of an assigned class topic (buildings with unique angles, pictures of a historic location in your neighborhood, samples of local foliage, various stages of a lab experiment, etc.). They could also use it to take pictures of notes or a diagram that is generated in class.
Calendars - All cell phones have a built in calendar, but I'd bet most students have never touched it. Teach students how to use them to stay better organized by helping them set up class event dates and reminders.
Texting - There is no doubt that our students are expert texters, but do they know how to use this power for the greater good? Most likely not, but there are a few ways this might be beneficial to a classroom. Since this is one of the more feasible applications of cell phones, I'll bullet some potential ideas.
Send text reminders to classes, groups or even parents using an online service like Remind 101, or Celly that allows you to create groups without ever exchanging or plugging in phone numbers and send text reminders from your computer.
Have students text instant data in class using phone based survey tools like Polleverywhere or Wiffiti, a text to screen website.
Have students do basic research using Cha Cha or Google SMS. This allows even students without web-based devices to find quick information from a reliable source.
Text a question to 242-242--works with almost any question like How do hurricanes form?
Text a question to 466453 (google)--works best with simple queries like web Libya
Other Uses and Tools for Web Capable Devices
Podcasts-- students can subscribe to hundreds of educational podcasts through ITunes U and other sources, or create your own by recording a class and uploading it to a class Wiki or podcast hosting website lite Podbean. They can also create sophisticated podcasts on their mobile device using audio editing apps like Hokusai or ISW recorder . They can even create their own study podcasts by using like Text To Speech which allows them to paste text and turn it into a spoken MP3 instantly that can then be downloaded onto a phone or ipod.
Video-- There are many free video edit apps like Video Edit, or pay ones like i-Movie that allow students to shoot, edit and submit a video all from their smartphone.
Consider having a different student each day "tweet" your relevance objective or a one sentence summary of the significance of the days lesson. For MANY more ideas about how to incorporate this popular social networking tool into your classrooms, check out http://www.emergingedtech.com/2010/02/100-ways-to-teach-with-twitter/.
Mobile Study is a website where you can create quizzes that students can download directly onto their phones using a QR code or other method
You and/or your students can create web-based flashcards and review quizzes and games that are perfect for touch devices. Check out this one I've started for my grandson's spelling list.
QR Codes- using a website like Qrstuff.com, you can generate Smartphone readable codes that take students directly to a website, video, online document or text response. Students will need to have a QR reader app on their smartphone, or you can use the site Snapmyinfo to generate codes for non SMART phones with picture messaging capabilities.
Try it! Use your Smartphone QR code reader (see App section below if you don't have one) to scan the code below for an article about how one science teacher has been using these.
And here's what I call the "motherlode" of using smartphones in the classroom. On the surface, this does not appear to be very "authentic", but read and think further--what skills are students REALLY learning? Think About It!
Note: to see all the videos in this playlist, click the in the upper left corner. There are TWO videos in this playlist.
And cell phones in businesses:
Plan It!
So let's "put pen to paper" and figure out how to use the cell phone with our learners. Below is a LiveBinder of some excellent articles specifically geared at using cell phones in lesson plans.
And now, we need to know about designing a Unit of Study appropriate to your current job (or future position).
Consideration of Apps
I really can't share a "good" list of apps with you (like this one). I really can't! There are SOO many websites with super collections of apps. What I need you to do is to do a search for apps within your specific content or application. Google will give you better resources than I can. But don't forget to look at what iTunes or GooglePlay has to suggest.
Do It!
You did it! So, once again, here are your assignments for this week (due next Sunday):
1) Design an outline of a Unit of Study appropriate to your current job (or future position). 2) Use this chart to outline the lessons for your unit and share three uses of a smart phone for each lesson. You should NOT be writing the lesson, only sharing the topic, a brief description of the lesson, and three uses of the phone into the lesson (if possible). This includes specific apps you would use and an annotation explaining why the use of the app is so fundamental to the learner's understanding. 3) Complete the bottom section of the chart in discussing the pros and cons, etc., as you see it!
NOTE: Be sure you open the document and "Make a Copy" of it, complete it, share it with me with commenting rights (drmcgregorKSU@gmail.com) and post your link here.
Further Reading (but these are very optional)
The Innovative Educator -- a forward thinking blog with tons of ideas about cell phone usage in the classroom. Why Mobile Is A Must - an argument that outlines the benefits and necessity of allowing mobile devices in the classroom. "...these digital natives now have in their hands the tools to shape their own education in once unimagined ways. They have the ability to interact with other learners at their convenience, with differences in time and place presenting no hurdle. They can research, on the spot, any topic of interest. And they can capture the moment, whether it's in a picture, a video, or a blog entry." Using Mobile Phones to Improve Educational Outcomes: An Analysis of Evidence from Asia-research based article that reviews effectiveness of mobile learning pilots "Mobiles, therefore, should impact educational outcomes by altering the character of education and learning because the nature of mobile technology converges with and facilitates new learning. The new learning is personalized, learner-centred, situated, collaborative, ubiquitous, and lifelong." What Can You Learn From A Cell Phone? – Almost Anything!--An article from Mark Prensky, software designer credited with coining the term "digital native," that discusses what and how students can and should learn from their cell phones. "...as U.S. educators are busy banning cell phones in schools, millions of students in China and Japan, the Philippines, and Germany are using their mobile phones (respectively), to learn English; to study math, health and spelling; and to access live and archived university lectures." Ideas for Managing Cell Phones in the Classroom
Learn It!
Do We Really Use Cell Phones THAT Much?
Let's Start With a Look at Definitions!
From the folks atOnce again technological advancements make common terminology such as mobile phone, smartphone, PDA and PDA phone difficult to decipher as each type of device changes constantly and features traditionally belonging to one type of device are now found on others. Let's explore the popular category of mobile communication devices, the similarities and differences between some of the popular products. Falling under the category of mobile devices, today's consumer electronics serve multiple purposes. Years ago, cellular phones, also called cellphones or mobile phones, served one purpose only: They let you send and receive voice communications. Today, mobile phones and similar devices are equipped with customized software, Internet access, digital cameras, portable music players, GPSfunctions and many more options.
What Is a Mobile Phone?
A mobile phone is more frequently called a cellular phone or cellphone. These communication devices connect to a wireless communications network through radio waves or satellite transmissions. Most mobile phones provide voice communications, Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), and newer phones may also provide Internet services such as Web browsing, instant messaging capabilities and e-mail.
What Is a PDA?
Short for personal digital assistant, this is the name given to small handheld devices that combine computing, telephone/fax, Internet and networking features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, Web browser and personal organizer. These devices are usually pen-based, which requires the use of a stylus rather than a keyboard for input. PDAs today are available in either a stylus or keyboard version. Traditionally, PDAs have not had phone or fax services.
What Is a Smartphone?
A smartphone is considered to be the combination of the traditional PDA and cellular phone, with a bigger focus on the cellular phone part. These handheld devices integrates mobile phone capabilities with the more common features of a handheld computer or PDA. Smartphones allow users to store information, e-mail, install programs, along with using a mobile phone in one device. A smartphone's features is usually more oriented towards mobile phone options than the PDA-like features. There is no industry standard for what defines a smartphone, so any mobile device that has more than basic cellphone capabilities can actually be filed under the smartphone category of devices.
What Is a PDA Phone?
It's definitely a lack of standardization that makes the category of mobile devices so confusing to the consumer. As technology changes, so do the functions that these different devices perform. Years ago, many people differentiated PDA and smartphone simply by looking for touch-screen capabilities. If it had a touch screen it was a PDA, if it didn't, it was a smartphone. The Sony Ericsson Smartphone, for example, offers users both a touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard. Despite the fact that the manufacturer calls this product a smartphone, the generic term for a PDA oriented device with cellular phone capabilities is called a PDA phone.
Some Popular Examples
What's The Differences, Again?
In summing up the differences between these common mobile communications devices you could say that a PDA phone is more PDA than phone and a smartphone is more phone than PDA. And, of course, a cellular phone is more phone than anything else.
But What's Unique About These Mobile Devices?
If you own a smartphone, it’s the one connected device you take with you wherever you go. Smartphone technologies, such as Internet access, built-in cameras and GPS open up a multitude of learning possibilities. These are the five “C’s” of Mobile Learning, as identified by Clark Quinn.
Basic Uses for Any Mobile Device
These tools are accessible to anyone with a basic cell phone and may be a good place to start since many of your students might not have a smart phone or mobile device with web access.
Other Uses and Tools for Web Capable Devices
Mobile Study is a website where you can create quizzes that students can download directly onto their phones using a QR code or other method
Try it! Use your Smartphone QR code reader (see App section below if you don't have one) to scan the code below for an article about how one science teacher has been using these.
Think About It!
Courtesy of: OnlineSchools.com
So let's look historically at cell phones:
Note: to see all the videos in this playlist, click the
And cell phones in businesses:
Plan It!
So let's "put pen to paper" and figure out how to use the cell phone with our learners. Below is a LiveBinder of some excellent articles specifically geared at using cell phones in lesson plans.
Consideration of Apps
I really can't share a "good" list of apps with you (like this one). I really can't! There are SOO many websites with super collections of apps. What I need you to do is to do a search for apps within your specific content or application. Google will give you better resources than I can. But don't forget to look at what iTunes or GooglePlay has to suggest.
Do It!
You did it! So, once again, here are your assignments for this week (due next Sunday):
1) Design an outline of a Unit of Study appropriate to your current job (or future position).
2) Use this chart to outline the lessons for your unit and share three uses of a smart phone for each lesson. You should NOT be writing the lesson, only sharing the topic, a brief description of the lesson, and three uses of the phone into the lesson (if possible). This includes specific apps you would use and an annotation explaining why the use of the app is so fundamental to the learner's understanding.
3) Complete the bottom section of the chart in discussing the pros and cons, etc., as you see it!
NOTE: Be sure you open the document and "Make a Copy" of it, complete it, share it with me with commenting rights (drmcgregorKSU@gmail.com) and post your link here.
Further Reading (but these are very optional)
The Innovative Educator -- a forward thinking blog with tons of ideas about cell phone usage in the classroom.Why Mobile Is A Must - an argument that outlines the benefits and necessity of allowing mobile devices in the classroom.
"...these digital natives now have in their hands the tools to shape their own education in once unimagined ways. They have the ability to interact with other learners at their convenience, with differences in time and place presenting no hurdle. They can research, on the spot, any topic of interest. And they can capture the moment, whether it's in a picture, a video, or a blog entry."
Using Mobile Phones to Improve Educational Outcomes: An Analysis of Evidence from Asia-research based article that reviews effectiveness of mobile learning pilots
"Mobiles, therefore, should impact educational outcomes by altering the character of education and learning because the nature of mobile technology converges with and facilitates new learning. The new learning is personalized, learner-centred, situated, collaborative, ubiquitous, and lifelong."
What Can You Learn From A Cell Phone? – Almost Anything!--An article from Mark Prensky, software designer credited with coining the term "digital native," that discusses what and how students can and should learn from their cell phones.
"...as U.S. educators are busy banning cell phones in schools, millions of students in China and Japan, the Philippines, and Germany are using their mobile phones (respectively), to learn English; to study math, health and spelling; and to access live and archived university lectures."
Ideas for Managing Cell Phones in the Classroom